The nutritional value of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.:Fr.) kumm cultivated on different lignocellulosic agrowastes.

Pleurotus ostreatus was cultivated on different agro wastes viz soybean straw, paddy straw, wheat straw alone or in combination of 1:1 ratio. Maximum yield of P. ostreatus was recorded on soybean straw. Maximum protein, fat, ash, P, K and Na content was recorded when P. ostreatus was cultivated on soybean straw alone whereas maximum Ca and Fe content was recorded when P. ostreatus was cultivated on combination of soybean and paddy straw. Amino acid profile showed P. ostreatus proteins are rich in glutamic acid, aspartic acid and lysine content whereas vitamin C and folic acid were also recorded. Biochemical changes take place in the substrates because of the mushroom growth. A decrease in cellulose, hemicellulose, crude fibre, carbohydrate lignin and tannin content was observed, while an increase in protein, ash and mineral content in spent straw was recorded.